A bibliometric analysis of energy efficiency assessment and management practices in ports

Briatore F.;Arena S.;Mosca M.;Morea D.;Pilloni M. T.;Orru P. F.

2024-01-01

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Abstract

Energy management and efficiency in port terminals play a fundamental role in facing the environmental challenges of the maritime industry. The search for novel and efficient solutions to change energy consumption patterns is increasingly becoming one of the main concerns of researchers and practitioners to ensure sustainable operation and reduce CO2 emissions. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the extant literature aiming at providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on energy efficiency assessment and management practices in ports and harbors. The main objective is to determine the most influential research streams that have been conducted in this field and identify the emerging trends and areas of interest. The findings show that energy optimization techniques and sustainable practices are receiving more and more attention in the port and maritime sectors, highlighting a consistent body of research focused on energy efficiency measures, renewable energy integration, and advanced technologies adoption. The study's achieved findings can be used to clarify the potential and challenges related to energy efficiency assessment and management practices in port terminals by providing both research and practice perspectives.